What began as an extension of a prestigious resort has become an icon that symbolizes a spirit of endurance that is celebrated all across the city of Narragansett, Rhode Island. The Towers serve as a venue for a variety of activities, providing audiences with incredible views of the ocean along with a monument that connects audiences to the history and culture that is unique to Narragansett.
Narragansett’s Gilded Age
Constructed from 1883-1886, what is now known as The Towers were part of the Narragansett Pier Casino. The site became a hub of social activity during Narragansett’s Gilded Age, during which time the Narragansett Pier Casino functioned as the heart of life in the city and was considered of the Americas’ most prestigious resorts.
The great fire of 1900 consumed the casino portion of the complex, but the granite walls of The Towers remained. A new casino was eventually built and The Towers were renovated by 1910. This would enable the site to eventually define “The Pier” that brought new life and activity to the area over the next few decades. The rebuilt casino complex would be consumed by another fire in 1956, but The Towers endured and would continue to be renovated and preserved.
Multiple fires as well as a series of hurricanes took their toll on The Towers, all of which cultivated a reputation of indestructibility and endurance that further defined their iconic status. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, The Towers have become a landmark that have created countless opportunities across the city.
The Most Recognizable Landmark in Narragansett
The Towers have become the most recognizable landmark in Narragansett, featured in maps and guides to the city but also celebrated as a means of identity for the entire area. The Towers appears on products, logos and signs all over, highlighting the incredible influence on the economy and culture.
The Towers regularly hosts weddings, dances, dinners, plays, and fashion shows. It serves as a venue for public events that range from dancing to theater. Events such as The Blessing of the Fleet road race and festival, local art festivals and the Lighting of the town Christmas tree all take place at or around The Towers on an annual basis.
Utilized by both residents and visitors for informal photo shoots as well as a means of identity by the city itself, The Towers highlights what it can look like for what might otherwise be a lost piece of history to become an icon that resonates across audiences and eras.
Cultivating a Legacy
Few structures have the historical or cultural significance of The Towers, but much of that is a result of an endeavor to protect and promote what might have otherwise been lost in one of the many fires or hurricanes that caused massive damage to The Towers. By cultivating the legacy that the structure represents to the city, The Towers have become an icon that has enabled a positive impacted for audiences, organizations and the entire region.
